Adam and Jessa Were The Best Thing About ‘Girls’ This Season

The best development of Girls season 5 has, without a doubt, been Adam (Adam Driver) and Jessa’s (Jemima Kirke) new relationship. Marnie (Allison Williams) and Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet) had fantastic episodes, and it’s lovely that Elijah (Andrew Rannells) had a romantic run, but consistently, episode by episode, it was Adam and Jessa that provided the excitement and heart that viewers couldn’t get enough of.

In the first episode of the season, Adam and Jessa shared their first kiss before Marnie’s wedding. It was one of those kisses that seemed to “just happen” out of nowhere. Jessa had curlers in hair and a cigarette in her hand when Adam when in for the lip lock. There was the moment of, “What?” followed by, “Let’s do that again,” and there’s been no turning back.

Even though Jessa was hesitant at first, due to Adam being Hannah’s (Lena Dunham) ex and all, the hesitation only built the foundation for a solid relationship, not to mention the sexual tension. He pursued her in an appropriate way: wanting to spend time with her, letting his intentions be known, showing up. Could this be the beginning of a—gasp!—healthy relationship for both of them? It’s hard to tell because we’ve hardly had the chance to witness one of those on this show so far, so watching what appeared to be one sure was thrilling!

Jessa imposing the “no touching” rule proved to be the hottest move so far. While they couldn’t physically touch each other, they could certainly touch themselves, and doing it two feet apart from each other was hands down the hottest masturbation scene the show has portrayed since Marnie first met Booth Jonathan (Jorma Taccone).

We saw a relationship that was predominately romantic for these two characters. If viewers found it hot or sexy at times, that’s because it hits close to home. Falling for a friend you didn’t expect to is nothing short of relatable. The first time Adam and Jessa had sex, we weren’t confusing it for a porno. But there was charm to it. It was uniquely “them” and yet we’ve all been there. Plus, we’ve seen that there is no lack of spark in the bedroom since then, as they were quickly roleplaying and filling each other’s fantasies, which is something that comes from trusting, getting to know each other and falling into the grooves of a relationship.

It appeared that we were watching a real, sturdy relationship: actual deep feelings developing between Adam and Jessa, not just an exchange of, “U up?” texts. Between meeting family members and stealing kisses and Adam offering to pay for Jessa to go to school, it was hard to remember that this is Girls and the other shoe could drop at any minute. Anything that seems too good to be true usually proves to be. Which brings us to Hannah…

In the seventh episode this season, as Adam performed in the interactive play and Jessa watched from an apartment across the way, Hannah noticed their romantic stares and figured it out. To her credit, she did handle it better than expected with little spectacle in that moment. While she demanded answers about their status from Marnie who took the opportunity to call them “second tier friends,” Hannah held back tears and any outbursts outside when she saw the couple leave the play together.

Even as the season went on, it clearly affected Hannah. In last week’s episode that included her running away from Fran and refusing to get back into the car with him, only to drag Ray into her freak-out and finally hitchhike back to the city, it was impossible to feel for or even like Hannah at all. This is the Hannah we are used to seeing and quite frankly, were afraid to see, once she realized her best friend and ex-boyfriend were together.

But after last night’s season 5 finale, let’s give her some credit. This is the best way she’s handled big news. She’s freaked out over less traumatic events, as any viewer is well aware. Hannah finally found a healthy outlet for her pain—she channeled it into storytelling at The Moth, and it went well! Could this relationship be changing everyone for the better? No, of course not. This is Girls.

HBO

While the lovey-dovey stuff was really, really pleasant to see for Adam and Jessa, the season finale found them right back in the destructive behavior we should’ve seen coming. Their argument turned into a fight that turned into complete apartment destruction. No lamp, no picture frame, no bookshelf was safe. But can this couple be? It’s unlikely! The irony of Hannah remaining composed while these two completely lose it is lost on no one. But let’s hope these two stay boring and in love, as it’s proving to be the most exciting element of the show so far.